VACCINE

European Journal Of Pediatrics • August 1994
Mercury burden of human fetal and infant tissues
Author information
Drasch G1, Schupp I, Höfl H, Reinke R, Roider G.
Institut für Rechtsmedizin
München, Germany
Abstract
The total mercury concentrations in the liver (Hg-L), the kidney cortex (Hg-K) and
the cerebral cortex (Hg-C) of 108 children aged 1 day-5 years, and the Hg-K and Hg-
L of 46 fetuses were determined. As far as possible, the mothers were interviewed
and their dental status was recorded. The results were compared to mercury concentrations
in the tissues of adults from the same geographical area. The Hg-K (n = 38)
and Hg-L (n = 40) of fetuses and Hg-K (n = 35) and Hg-C (n = 35) of older infants
(11-50 weeks of life) correlated significantly with the number of dental amalgam fillings
of the mother. The toxicological relevance of the unexpected high Hg-K of older
infants from mothers with higher numbers of dental amalgam fillings is discussed.
CONCLUSION
Future discussion on the pros and cons of dental amalgam should not be limited to
adults or children with their own amalgam fillings, but also include fetal exposure.
The unrestricted application of amalgam for dental restorations in women before and
during the child-bearing age should be reconsidered.
“The mercury of fetuses
and mercury of older infants (11-50 weeks of life)
correlated significantly with the number of dental
amalgam fillings of the mother. The toxicological
relevance of the unexpected high kidney cortex of
older infants from mothers with higher numbers
of dental amalgam fillings is discussed.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7957411